Power pads, which use magnetic induction, are already on the market, like the Palm Pre's chargin Touchstone, shown here. They only work over short distances, though, and require custom form factors. (Source: Wojianfe.net)

Witricity uses magnetically couple resonance to transmit power over longer distances, as shown here. The company's CEO predicts the company's technology will be ubiquitous within five years. However, health concerns about the powerful magnet fields it uses remain. (Source: Business Unusual)

Company believes that computers, phones, and EVs will within 5 years be operating without cords

You can't fault WiTricity for its
ambition. As one of several companies looking to market
emerging wireless power transmission technologies, WiTricity is
making some of the boldest claims. Among the claims made by the
company -- that within a year wireless power will be taking the
mobile electronics industry by
storm.

The concept of wireless power transmission is a
relatively old one. In the 1890s, Nikolai Tesla was successful
in illuminating incandescent light bulbs with wirelessly transmitted
power. However, for decades this research lay dormant and
untouched.

With modern telecommunications and interest in
signals at an all time high, interest in the topic again picked up.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in particular, developed
some intriguing
technology that WiTricity would later be founded upon.

Eric
Giler, CEO of WiTricity says that power transmission over several
feet is an obtainable feat. He states, "Five years from
now, this will seem completely normal. The biggest effect of
wireless power is attacking that huge energy wasting that goes on
where people buy disposable batteries. [And] Electric cars
[are] absolutely gorgeous, but does anyone really want to plug them
in?"

WiTricity isn't the only player in this new market,
though. Several key technologies, each championed by different
companies, are emerging.

One is radio power. Though only
able to transmit small amounts of power, this approach can work over
a long distance. A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, company called
Powercast is among the pioneers in this field, using its technology
to power temperature sensors in large office buildings and to power
wireless Christmas trees (sold for $400 a piece). The company
has lit up an LED with radio signals from 1.5 miles away.

Another
approach is power pads. Advantages include low costs and
relatively high efficiencies. Disadvantages include the
extremely short distance and need for custom shapes and sizes of
pads. This technology currently is employed in the Palm
Pre's recharging stone and in electric toothbrush recharging
stands.

WiTricity's technology works on a third type of
transmission -- magnetically coupled resonance. Similar to
sound waves, the transmission creates a magnetic field, that devices
can convert locally to electricity. This technology enjoys a
middle ground with a bit worse efficiency, a bit longer distance, and
moderate costs. Intel is also working on a more
efficient version of this approach.

Despite WiTricity's
optimism about its new approach, challenges remain. A full
deployment is estimated to possibly create a magnetic field as strong
as the Earth's own magnetic field. According to recent
research, referenced by Menno Treffers, chairman of the steering
group at the Wireless Power Consortium, such a strong magnetic field
can cause serious health risks.

“And I don't know why [Apple is] acting like it’s superior. I don't even get it. What are they trying to say?” -- Bill Gates on the Mac ads